Keloids, also known as cicatrices, are thick, raised, firm, and irregular growth over scar tissue that is red or pink. The scar tissue is formed, as a part of the normal repair mechanism, after any injury to skin cells. However, in some cases, the amount of scar tissue is more than required in a normal healing process. As a result, thick, raised, and firm keloids grow over the scar.
These keloids have a smooth surface and have a shiny appearance. Sometimes, it has itching and pain. The keloids are formed on the skin at the sites of accidental injuries, surgical cuts, trauma injuries, acne, chicken pox, burns, vaccination sites, and piercing of ear lobes.
Keloids do not need treatment as they are not harmful. However, if keloids bother you with their appearance or are painful and itchy, you need treatment. The conventional treatments to reduce keloids include medications, local creams, corticosteroid injections, laser treatments, radiation, freezing, and surgical removal.
Homeopathy can effectively treat keloids. These remedies are prepared from natural medicines free from side effects. The time needed for keloids cure in homeopathy varies from person to person, depending upon age, size, and how old the keloids are.
Role of homeopathy in Keloid treatment
Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine that aims to cure disease by treating its root cause. So, it heals keloids from its roots instead of just acting in it externally.
Also, homeopathic remedies don’t act externally but work by stimulating your immune system and enhancing the body’s self-healing mechanism. Another important aspect of homeopathic treatment is that it eliminates the tendency of keloids to recur. It gives relief from the itching and pain of keloids.
The best homeopathic medicine for keloid is prescribed on symptoms presented by the individual and his constitution. Thus, consulting a qualified homeopathic doctor for the best and long-lasting results is necessary. Self-medication of homeopathic medicines without consulting a doctor is not advisable.
Top six homeopathic medicines for keloids
To prescribe homeopathic constitutional medication, your doctor considers your personality, physical generals, mental generals, lifestyle, and other hereditary factors. So, not one keloid remedy suits everyone. Here are the top six homeopathic medicines for keloids.
Calendula (Calen.)
Common name: Marigold
Calendula is the best homeopathic remedy for keloid formation after traumatic injuries and surgeries. It also acts as a keloid preventive homeopathic medicine. When applied locally, this medicine ensures keloid healing, leaving minimal or no scar.
Silicea terra (Sil.)
Common name: Silica, Pure Flint
Silicea is one of the best homeopathic remedies for painful keloids. This is an excellent natural medicine to deal with keloids on the skin with offensive sweat. These keloids are sensitive, especially towards cold air.
Silicea treats keloids by decreasing the pain and dissolving the unnecessary cicatricial tissue. It is best suited for keloids that trigger skin diseases.
Graphites naturalis (Graph.)
Common name: Black lead
Graphites is one of the best homeopathic medicines for keloids in its early stages. When Graphites is given in the early stage of keloid, it absorbs the scar tissue and dissolves it. This remedy stops keloid progression, absorbing it gradually and finally, completely dissolves keloid.
Nitricum acidum (Nit-ac.)
Common name: Nitric acid
Nitric acid is one of the top-grade homeopathic medicines for keloids with sharp, splinter-like pain. These keloids are irregular in shape and have a jagged appearance.
Fluoricum acidum (Fl-ac.)
Common name: Hydrofluoric acid
Fluoric acid treats keloids where heat exposure worsens the itching. This medicine reduces itching and also ensures the keloid shrinks.
Thiosinaminum rhodallinum (Thiosi.)
Common name: A chemical derived from oil of mustard seed
Thiosinaminum is an effective homeopathic medicine for keloids that works by dissolving the scar tissue.
Causes of Keloids
You can develop keloids due to different causes, including:
Skin Injury
Any form of skin injury can form keloid. It includes burns, surgical scars, cuts, or even acne that can trigger keloid formation.
Genetics
Genetics plays a significant role in keloid formation. A family history of keloids can make individuals more susceptible to developing them.
Skin tension
Keloids are more likely to form in areas of the skin with high tension, like the chest, shoulders, and earlobes.
Inflammatory skin conditions
Conditions such as acne or chickenpox can increase the risk of keloid development.
Piercings and tattoos
Piercing ear lobes and tattoos can lead to keloid formation. This happens due to the overgrowth of fibrous tissue in response to injury. In healing, your skin produces excessive collagen, leading to keloid formation.
Hormonal changes
Keloids can form at any age, but women in their reproductive age are more prone to develop keloids. Keloids may develop or worsen during pregnancy or with hormonal fluctuations.
Foreign materials
The presence of foreign materials, like surgical implants or foreign bodies, can contribute to keloid formation.
Symptoms of Keloid
Keloids are scars that outgrow the limits of a normal scar. The sensation differs from person to person. Keloids are easy to identify by their specific characteristics. However, sometimes they can be confused for hypertrophic scars.
- Appearance: Keloid appears as lumpy skin that is shiny and hairless
- Texture: Keloid texture varies from soft to firm, and varies from person to person
- Consistency: Keloid has a rubbery consistency
- Size: Keloid size varies depending on the size of the scar
Some other common symptoms of keloid are listed below:
Raised and thick skin
Keloids appear as thick, raised, and firm growths.
Discoloration
Keloids vary in color. They can be pink to dark brown, differing from their surrounding skin.
Itching and pain
Keloids may have itching, pain, or discomfort.
Treatment options for Keloids
The type of treatment depends on the location, severity, and other individual factors. It’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice on keloids. A few popular treatment methods include:
Surgical removal
Surgical excision is done, for larger and bigger keloids. However, it has a risk of keloid recurrence. Follow precautions to prevent the formation of new keloids. This includes applying silicone gel, applying pressure bandage, or wrapping it tightly.
Laser therapy
Laser treatment helps by reducing the size and appearance of keloids. It helps in neutralizing the dark color of the keloids.
Cryotherapy
In this therapy, keloids are frozen using liquid nitrogen that helps flatten them. This therapy is helpful for small-sized keloids. It saves your skin beneath the keloids and also softens hard painful keloids.
Steroid injections
Corticosteroid injections help in flattening and shrinking keloids. These injections work well when used after surgical removal or with cryotherapy.
Silicone gel sheets
Applying silicone gel sheets locally to soften and flatten the scar.
Pressure dressings
Applying pressure dressings prevents keloid growth.
Radiation therapy
Radiation is used to reduce post-surgery keloid size. It has added benefits when used after surgical removal of keloids.
Interferon therapy
Interferon injections are used for severe keloids.
Topical creams
Some topical creams reduce keloid size.
Lifestyle management for Keloids
Lifestyle management for keloids is aimed at enhancing overall skin health. It also focuses on reducing factors that may worsen keloid formation. Here are some tips:
Avoid Irritation
Be gentle with your skin. Avoid unnecessary friction or irritation on keloid-prone sites.
Sun protection
Protect your skin from sun exposure using SPF (sunscreen) and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.
Avoid piercings and tattoos
If your skin is prone to keloid formation, avoid piercings and tattoos.
Remember these measures can help in keloid reduction, but they do not replace medicinal treatment.
Conclusion
Keloid is not a serious disease but can cause pain, discomfort, itching, and cosmetic disfigurement. Homeopathic medicines give everlasting solutions to these ugly-looking keloids without surgery or painful injections.
References
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